FAIRCHILD, Bertha E, (Taylor) 1867-1893

FAIRCHILD, TAYLOR

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/23/2014 at 23:52:42

[Iowa State Reporter, Thursday, February 16, 1893, Waterloo, Iowa]

A Crossing Fatality.

One of those distressing accidents, due to impatience, occurred Monday evening, about 3:15, one mile east of the C. F. and W. junction. Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Fairchild, of Cedar Falls, were on their way to this city, and being in somewhat of a hurry, attempted to "run" the crossing ahead of the Illinois Central passenger train from the north, in charge of conductor Joe Jenness and engineer J. D. Place.

When the engineer first saw the cutter and its occupants they were close onto the crossing, going at a rapid gait, but it was too late, and within a second the collision occurred, which has already cost one life, and inflicted serious, if not fatal, injuries to another.

When tho train could be stopped, Mr, and Mrs. Fairchild were both found on the pilot of the engine. Both seemed badly injured, but the full extent was not known until after the arrival of the train in this city. The injured were conveyed to the hospital as soon as possible, where Mrs. Fairchild died within an hour. She was terribly bruised, suffering, besides the internal injuries which caused her death, a fracture of one of the hip bones, a fracture of the thigh bone near the hip joint, and a dislocation of the vertebrae. Mr. Fairchild struck on his head, sustaining a serious scalp wound, about seven inches in length and triangular in shape. His injuries are not thought to be fatal, although complications are liable to arise, which would cause death. From the location of the wound, indicating the position
in which he struck the,pilot, the physicians say it was almost a miracle that his neck was not broken by the fall.

Mrs. Fairchild was about 23 years of age, and her husband 28. They had resided at Cedar Falls about a year. His home is near Shell Rock, and Mrs. Fairchild comes from New Hartford. They had been married about three years.

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Gravestone at Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls, Iowa inscribed:
Bertha E. Taylor wife of W. P. Fairchild, born Dec. 14, 1867, died Feb. 13, 1893.
Lydia G. Infant Daughter of W. P. and B. E. Fairchild, March 12, 1892